Long story. But today I discovered after weeks of troubleshooting why my 90 Acura Integra GS 1.8 would not start I could possibly be missing a "spring" inside the Ignition Coil hole. I had changed my dizzy cap a few weeks ago and after watching several youtube videos and reading my Haynes Manual that I may have lost a spring that fits into the female side of the ign coil and makes contact to the male post of the dizzy cap.

Is there a spring in between and is that keeping it from starting? I read some other posts of users on youtube that was a problem they had and how easy it was to drop the spring. My Haynes Manual show a picture of the coil on page 1-29 Fig 26.12a but it is not very clear of a spring. The youtubes I watched definitely showed the spring in the Honda Engine same year.

Checked so many other issues of the no-start problem like compression and fuel related issues. I know I can check for spark out of the plugs and did have a good spark, but not sure how strong so possibly it could be intermittent or weak.

Anyone please help with any info about this "spring". I will ask the dealer tomorrow but any tips I SURE would appreciate. Thanks....

Comments welcome.

 

there's a spring in the ign coil, if you dont have it just buy one that fits, that's easy.

check main relay..injectors, thermostat ground

 

Thermostat ground is good.
Also read that the main relay would be good if the fuel pump runs for the full 2 seconds when turning the key to the ON position and hear the humming noise.
Mine does ok.

Not 100% sure about injectors. Would have to run a fuel pressure test.

The spring is what makes me wonder if the car won't fire up without it due to a unsolid contact?

Help please with opinions.

 

coil>spring>cap>rotor>wires that spring conects the coil with the cap so...try installing it

LOL

 

Thanks for responding.

Problem is I cannot find that spring at any Acura parts dealer or any parts shop. They don't even show it in there diagrams.

Is it a compression spring or extension spring? Any clue on size of the spring or where I could buy one? THANKS.

 

Udpate: Almost every parts shop and dealer I have talked to tells me that there is NO SPRING on my 1990 Acura Integra GS 1.8......so possibly on my "model" just the post of the dizzy cap making contact back and forth with the ignition coil is all that is required?? Maybe.

 

This is the "spring" that is common on most integras. Not sure if the 1990 uses the same distributor design but if it looks like these then a missing spring would cause no spark.

just pull the cap off and look, it should be three phillip screws

 

Thanks for the reply.
The design of that ignition coil (by viewing the picture) is slightly different than my TC-07A TEC. My is more flat and the hole where a spring would "possibly" go is in the center. I cannot post a picture yet as I am so new.
That is why I am not sure if I really had or need the spring. Yes, somewhat confused but many pics I looked at by internet and ebay sellers, same as my TC-07A, there was no spring.

Tonight I will recheck all plugs for spark.

I wonder if I have a timing issue with all the cranking and just won't start?

Thanks for the great detailed pics.

 

 

Yes, that is the ignition coil I have but I cannot see any visible spring that would fit into the top hole. Exactly the one.

 

Replace the spring and see if it fires up

 

That is my biggest problem. "Where can I find the exact spring or one similar".
No dealers or parts stores have it.
Is it a compression spring or an extension spring or just a good fit will do?

Just get a spring at Home Depot???

 

yes, go to home depot, (homecenter here in chile lol) its just a spring..
try to put something in between and see what happens.. good luck

 

Somebody offline sent me this:

My best guess is if the contact point within the distributor cap to the coil is static, its very likely the socket within the coil should have a dynamic component, ie. spring. However if the contact within the distributor cap is dynamic/movable, then the coil socket should be static/empty.

My contact point/post within the distributor is movable. Hmm. Thinking..

 

Update: Ok, here what I know so far.

1. Compression tested good for wet and dry test....between 150 to 180.
2. Did a spark test at the end of each spark plug and got a good white spark on all 4 plugs. Should rule out everything inside the dizzy....cap,rotor,coil,igniter. Right!
3. The Fuel filter does hum for the 2 seconds so gas from the pump must be good and doesn't this also mean the Main relay is ok. I read that.
Next I have to check the fuel pressure with a guage.

4. I wouldn't think the timing is an issue or is it. I never removed the distributor from the housing.

5. I know the firing order is correct at 1-3-4-2......

Anything I am missing or other tips. This is a tough one on me.

All comments welcome.

 

Just wanted to finalize this on my Acura.
My ignition coil doesn't require the spring.

I still know I have problem with #2 cylinder. Today I disconnected the fuel injector/plug wire/ and plug and the Acura started up in less than 3 seconds.

Thanks to everyone for your help and responses about the Acura.
I really appreciate it.

https://honda-tech.com/acura-integra...-safe-3250112/

 

You either have a bad conection in the wiring on that injector wire harness plug somewhere, or the injector itself is bad, or that plug wire is no good. Also check the spark plug on that #2 cyl